England midfielder Katie Zelem admits it was bittersweet to make her World Cup debut knowing close friend Keira Walsh’s injury was the reason why.
Manchester United captain Zelem started in England’s 6-1 victory over China, while Walsh has stepped up her recovery from the knee problem she sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark.
Zelem, 27, was not part of boss Sarina Wiegman’s squad to face Brazil and Australia in April and confessed there was a time she did not think she would be on the plane to the World Cup.
She said: “I think it’s a tough situation, to be honest, especially when Keira is one of my closest friends in the team.
“I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s inj…
Zinedine Zidane has always been a man focused on Real Madrid and France and therefore would not take the Paris Saint-Germain role should it become available.
That is the message from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who briefly discussed the potential vacancy at PSG should reports prove to be true that Mauricio Pochettino will depart.
Pochettino lifted the Ligue 1 title with PSG in the 2021-22 season, his first trophy as a coach, but failed to deliver in the Champions League, falling to a last-16 exit against Madrid.
European glory remains the main goal for PSG s QSI ownership, with the understanding that Pochettino and the Ligue 1 giants have held discussions and agreed to part ways.
Zidane emerged as a frontrunner for the PSG job before Pochettin…
Lesley Ugochukwu has completed a season-long loan move to Southampton from Chelsea.
Ugochukwu, who made 15 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last season, was not registered in time for the Saints Premier League opener against Newcastle.
The 20-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge last year in a reported £23.2m deal from Rennes but missed 20 Premier League games as he struggled with a hamstring issue.
He was welcomed to St. Mary s on the same day Cameron Archer sealed a £15m permanent switch from Aston Villa, with the pair adding to Russell Martin s ranks.
The duo join 12 new faces on the South Coast, with the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, Ben Brereton Diaz and Ronnie Edwards all signing in the window.
“It was a ve…
Kylian Mbappe fluffed a golden chance on his 200th Ligue 1 appearance as leaders Paris Saint-Germain stumbled to a 1-0 defeat against bogey team Rennes.
Hamari Traore stunned the capital city giants by breaking the deadlock in the 65th minute with a clinical left-footed strike, his first league goal of the season.
Substitute Mbappe squandered a clear opportunity for a leveller after being played in behind the Rennes defence soon afterwards, sweeping a powerful shot over the bar when he only had Steve Mandanda to beat.
PSG pushed for a leveller, but Rennes had their number once again at Roazhon Park, which has been the way of things in recent seasons.
End of the match, the Parisians lose to Rennes. I 1-0
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English)
…
Negotiations are taking place for Martin Dubravka to join Manchester United, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has confirmed.
Dubravka joined Newcastle from Sparta Prague in January 2018 on an initial loan that was later made permanent, but the goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at St James Park after the arrival of Nick Pope from Burnley before the new season.
Reports suggested the Slovakia international could be on his way to Old Trafford – also on an initial loan – to provide competition for David de Gea.
Howe provided some clarity on the matter at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of his team s trip to face Liverpool, telling reporters: Discussions have taken place between the clubs. I don t think anything has concluded as I sit here now…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Emile Smith Rowe to use his latest injury setback as fuel to return to action better than ever.
Smith Rowe has been sidelined with a knee injury and has not featured since a 5-0 win over Sheffield United on October 28.
The England international is back among the squad and has travelled to the Netherlands for Arsenal’s Champions League group-stage dead rubber at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.
Next stop
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 and the Gunners are also assured of advancing in top-spot.
It remains to be seen what role, if any, Smith Rowe will fulfil on Tuesday but, asked if Smith Rowe needs to start again following another injury lay-off as he aims to keep fi…
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has reportedly caught the attention of LaLiga powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Bajcetic, 18, scored his first Premier League goal in a short substitute appearance against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, and after impressing in a pair of January FA Cup starts, he forced his way into the first team.
He has started their past four Premier League fixtures as well as Tuesday s Champions League Final rematch against Madrid, indicating a rapid rise in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp.
The Spaniard left Celta Vigo in 2020 to head to the Premier League, but his home country could soon come calling to bring him back.
TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL TEEN CAPTURES IMAGINATION OF EUROPE S ELITE
According to Fichajes, both Barcelona and Ma…
Lothar Matthaus has urged England to start Jude Bellingham in every match at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions head to the tournament in poor form, failing to win any of their past six competitive matches, their worst sequence of results ever before a major tournament.
Questions regarding Gareth Southgate s first-choice XI remain, with the manager staying loyal to those who performed well in the 2018 World Cup and last year s European Championship.
However, Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham has worked his way into the side and started England s last three matches, with Bayern Munich and West Germany great Matthaus believing that streak should continue in the upcoming tournament.
He s someone English football fans need to be hugely excited about, th…
Former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has agreed to return for a third spell as head coach of Palmeiras.
The 69-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the nine-time Brasileirao champions, having previously had spells in charge from 1997 to 2000 and 2010 to 2012.
He has been without a club since leaving Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao in November last year.
Scolari was the architect of Palmeiras only Copa Libertadores win in 1999, with a team featuring the likes of Alex, Zinho and Roque Junior.
After a year at Cruzeiro, Scolari then took charge of Brazil in 2001, experiencing further success as a formidable Selecao side won the 2002 World Cup.
He spent five years as Portugal boss before heading to Chelsea in 2008, where he only lasted until the foll…
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In what could prove to be an enjoyable showdown from the Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday night, Villarreal will welcome Celta Vigo to town.
Villarreal
Starting with the hosts, eventually falling short last season in the race to book another European ticket, Villarreal have their sights firmly set on a top-six return this time around. While the Yellow Submarine might have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability during their summer preparations, Marcelino’s men have impressed since opening up the 2024/25 campaign. Getting proceedings underway with an action-packed 2-2 stalemate at home against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Villarreal do appear to have made some real improvements. Snatching what was a sensational last-gas…